High school football is back

A new high school football season takes the field as local teams begin practicing.

Austin GaquinThe Patriot Ledger

The wait is finally over for high school players and coaches. Football is back.

Practices started today, with the regular season set to begin on the first weekend of September. Hope and excitement abounds among teams on the South Shore.

“Everyone is complaining about how short their summer is,” said Marshfield Rams head coach, Lou Silva, “but for a football coach, it’s a long summer! I just can’t wait to get back.”

Marshfield finished its 2013 campaign at 5-6, losing in the first round of the Division 2 South playoffs to No. 2-seed Barnstable, 48-29.

The Rams have taken a step back in recent years after going 41-10 over the four-year stretch from 2006-2009. But this season, Silva likes his team’s chances of returning to contender status.

“Our offseason went very well,” said Silva, who is entering his 33rd year as Marshfield’s head coach. “We had a really good strength and conditioning program with a lot of excitement. We’ll see how that translates into the regular season. Our team was young last year. Now we have a nice mix of juniors and seniors. I’m hoping the kids are ready to make the big jump to the next level.”

Braintree and North Quincy are also hoping to take a step forward this season.

The Wamps finished 4-7 last year, failing to qualify for the Division 2 South playoffs. This season, head coach Brian Chamberlain is optimistic that his team’s weaknesses will become strengths.

“We haven’t been athletic (in recent years),” said Chamberlain, who took over the program in 2011, “but this year our guys are a lot stronger and faster, (particularly at) the skill positions. And with some of the younger kids coming up, we’ll finally have some depth. It’s been a real good offseason. We’re happy to be back.”

North Quincy also finished the 2013 season in disappointing fashion, failing to make the playoffs with a 3-8 record.

The Red Raiders must find a way to improve without Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic running back Antoine Allen, who rushed for over 1,700 yards in his senior year last season. Head coach Mark Nutley now turns to senior quarterback, Andrew Kiley and senior running back Dayvon Jones, plus an array of veteran linemen and wide receivers, in hopes of replacing Allen’s production, and then some.

“It’ll be tough to replace Antoine,” said Nutley, “but we have a lot of returning guys from last year and some incoming freshmen. Offensive line wise, we have six guys coming back who played significant time last year. That’s a plus. Our goal is to be one of the teams in the playoffs. We address that after every practice. We’re excited going into the season.”

Pembroke and Milton had respectable 2013 campaigns, but also look to improve in order to compete for a championship.

Pembroke finished 5-5 last season and missed the playoffs, but the Titans won their last four games after a 1-5 start. Behind an array of senior leaders, including quarterback Bill Watts and running back Kyle Horn, they hope to carry that momentum into this season.

“We have veterans in our backfield and good receivers,” said head coach Bob Bancroft. “Last year we started 1-5 … we have to do a better job than that. We always feel good going in. It’s fun to be back. We’re looking forward to it.”

Milton went 5-6 in 2013, earning the No. 6 seed in the Southwest playoffs, before losing, 36-22, to Hopkinton in the first round. With increased depth and talent at the skill positions, the Wildcats are primed for a better finish in 2014.

“We feel like we’ve had our best offseason in five years,” said head coach Jim Bowes. “The guys are really excited. We can’t wait to actually get started. If we can protect the football better and play disciplined, we’re going to give people a run for their money.”

Scituate finished the 2013 regular season with a 7-4 record, but still ended its year in disappointment with a 44-39 first-round playoff loss to Holliston.

A young team last season, the Sailors return much of their cast this fall. Scituate’s coaching staff, helmed by Herb Devine, is excited about this team’s experience and athleticism.

“This is by far the most athletic group we’ve had at Scituate,” said Devine. “We’re really excited about the group coming back. These kids work hard.”

He added: “We have to build on the momentum from last season. We’ve made the playoffs two out of the last four years, but we haven’t won a playoff game. Our goal is to win the league and make the playoffs, and then we have to focus on winning that first game. Everybody wants to make a deep run. We feel like we have a team that can do it.”